McFarland & Tribulietx Appointed, Mulligan Signs

Auckland City Football Club is proud to announce the appointment of Ramon Tribulietx and Aaron McFarland as co-coaches for the upcoming 2010/11 season.

Furthermore the club is delighted to also announce the signing of New Zealand World Cup squad member David Mulligan to it’s playing roster.

Tribulietx and McFarland take over from Paul Posa, who was head coach of the side for the past two seasons. Posa, a dentist who runs his own practice, was unavailable for re-appointment due to work commitments. He will however remain closely involved in the club as a member of the executive board.

Both Tribulietx and McFarland are familiar faces at the club’s Kiwitea Street headquarters.

Tribulietx has acted as Posa’s assistant for the past two seasons, contributing significantly to the club’s NZFC and O-League ‘double’ success in 2009 and also to the club’s outstanding fifth place finish at the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi late last year.

McFarland was head coach of Auckland City’s main feeder club, Central United, from 2005 – 2007. During that time he led the club to two Chatham Cup titles including a league/cup ‘double’ in 2007. He was also a member of Auckland City’s coaching staff during the same period, leading the academy side to the National Youth League title in 2007 and assisting the first team to the NZFC title that same year. More recently he was assistant coach of the New Zealand side that competed at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Nigeria in 2009. This team created history by becoming the first side from this country to qualify for the ‘Round of 16’ at a FIFA World Finals tournament.

Mulligan, aged 28, brings a wealth of experience with him to Auckland City FC. He made over two hundred appearances in the English Football League between 2000 and 2008 for the following clubs: Barnsley (70 appearances), Doncaster Rovers (88), Scunthorpe United (29), Grimsby Town (7) & Port Vale (13). He arrives at Kiwitea Street after a two-year spell will the Wellington Phoenix. A versatile footballer, who can play in either midfield or defence, he has earned 25 international caps since debuting for New Zealand in 2002. He has also represented New Zealand at U17, U20 & U23 level.

Auckland City’s chairman Ivan Vuksich is excited by the confirmation of these appointments.

“Both Ramon and Aaron are highly skilled young coaches with excellent credentials. They are familiar with the surroundings at Kiwitea Street and we are confident they have what it takes to lead our team to success in both the New Zealand Football Championship and Oceania Champions League this season.”

“We are delighted also to welcome David to Auckland City. He is an outstanding player with a huge amount of professional and international playing experience. His signing is not only great news for the club but will further add to the growing profile of the NZFC and the O-League.”

The full squad will commence pre-season training in early September, ahead of their first competition match – an NZFC clash away to Waikato FC on 16 October 2010.

Auckland City’s backroom staff remains largely unchanged from last season with the following positions also being confirmed: Paul Gothard (Goalkeeping Coach), David Stringer (Logistics Manager), Arthur Egan (Property Steward), Katherine Ludbrook & Andrew Newmarch (Physiotherapists). Former NZ All Whites captain Chris Zoricich, along with Jose Figueira, will take charge of the Academy side.